BIO 111, Study Questions, Exam 1
Chapter 1
1. Define biology. List and describe the many properties of life.
2. List and describe, in order, the hierarchy of life.
3. Define cell. Briefly describe prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Define heredity.
Describe the basic structure of DNA and what determines the information in the
molecule.
4. Briefly describe nutrient cycling and energy flow between organisms.
5. List and describe the three domains of organisms. List, in order, the levels of
taxonomy.
6. Describe Darwin’s theory of evolution, including his observations and conclusions.
7. Describe the scientific method. Define hypothesis, inductive and deductive
reasoning. What is a scientific theory?
Chapter 2
1. What are the main elements that make up living organisms?
2. What factors affect the properties of different elements?
3. Describe the organization of the atom. Include the subatomic particles.
4. What are the functions of the electron in an atom? How are electrons arranged in an
atom?
5. Describe the three types of chemical bonds and how they form.
Chapter 3
1. Describe hydrogen bonding and how it contributes to the various properties of water.
Describe the different properties of water.
Chapter 4
1. What makes carbon an important element in biological systems? What are functional
groups?
Chapter 5
1. What are carbohydrates and why are they important for life? What are the types of
saccharides? What polymers are built from these?
2. Describe the various types of lipids. Include their basic structures and functions.
3. Compare and contrast saturated and unsaturated fats.
4. Why are phospholipids important in biological systems? What is their structure and why
is it important?
5. Describe the four levels of protein structure. What are the subunits of proteins?
6. What are the nucleic acids and what are their functions?